Tuesday, March 31, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 31

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/the-cw-announces-returns-of-series.html

The CW has released return dates for their series. Some shows have gotten pushed back so they can extend the season into May with the shorter episode orders, while some other series (Supernatural, Legacies) are on hold so they can finish production on the season. Batwoman and Supergirl will return on Sunday, April 26. Both of those shows will now have 20 episodes this season instead of 22.  Roswell, New Mexico is unaffected and will continue to air Mondays at 9. The Flash and DC's Legends of Tomorrow return with new episodes on April 21. It looks like the former will have 19 of 22 episodes and the latter will have 14 of 15 episodes produced. Riverdale returns Wednesday, April 15 with 21 of 22 episodes, while Nancy Drew returns April 8 as planned and is unaffected. Katy Keene also is unaffected and will return as planned on April 16, while Friday dramas (Charmed, Dynasty) are all-new the rest of the season and will have all 22 episodes. 

Monday, March 30, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 30

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/schedule-changes-on-abc-cw-due-to-covid.html

ABC announced some schedule changes due to the COVID-19 crisis. ABC's Grey's Anatomy will now have its season finale on Thursday, April 9 at 9pm instead of May 14, as they only got to complete 21 episodes this season of its 25 episode order. So 4 episodes will not be produced, but they could be added on to next season's order. Station 19 and How to Get Away with Murder will still have their finales on May 14, as they both had already wrapped production before this pandemic crisis began. On Mondays, ABC is pulling the previously-booked episodes of American Idol. They will now join the Sunday rotation, so ABC can extend the season and delay the start of the live episodes as much as they can. No word yet on if the live episodes will even happen. On Mondays (tonight and next week), ABC will air repeats of Celebrity Family Feud at 8pm and again at 9:00pm next week, but tonight there will be a special 20/20 on the COVID-19 crisis. At 10:00pm next week (April 6), ABC will air a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Greatest of All-Time special (the season finale of The Good Doctor airs tonight at 10). As a reminder, Millionaire returns to ABC on April 8 for 8-weeks hosted by Jimmy Kimmel with celebrities playing for charity. 

Sunday, March 29, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 29

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/sitcom-stars-on-talk-shows-this-week-in_29.html

It's Sunday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!

Saturday, March 28, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 28

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/sitcomsonline-digest-one-day-at-time.html

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! We're back for more news (not much, because everything is closed for the foreseeable future), including news of One Day at a Time ratings, a look at how things will (or won't) progress during the coronavirus "lockdown," and more. Let's get going!

Friday, March 27, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 27

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/fri-yay-review-of-one-day-at-time.html

In the midst of a global pandemic, we can at least still turn to sitcoms for comfort. The fourth season of One Day at a Timepremiered this week on Pop TV (and simulcast on TV Land and Logo), which was notable not just because it's a great show but because it was the first episode following the sitcom's transition from streaming service to weekly television series. The fourth season premiere, "Checking Boxes," was the first time the show had to adjust to regular TV rules such as time limits and commercial breaks. It was also the opportunity for the show to draw in a new audience, which is probably why "Checking Boxes" felt very much like the show resetting itself mildly for any new viewers who may not have caught the show on Netflix. The episode's opening scene has special guest Ray Romano taking census information for the Alvarezes, which serves as a quick way to get all of the information needed about the family for anyone who is just now checking the series out. The scene is also a little sillier and broader than the show typically is, incorporating two meta jokes (one being the opening line that takes a shot at Netflix - Alex bemoans "there's nothing good on Netflix anymore" - and another is a play on Everybody Loves Raymond). Both are funny jokes, especially the Netflix crack, but it's a little odd for One Day at a Time, a very classic-style sitcom that has never really tipped its toes in meta, self-referential humor before. Still, it's likely a way to draw some attention for the show, which I'm totally fine with. 

Thursday, March 26, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 26

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/cbs-slates-primetime-special-from-home.html

During this unprecedented time, CBS will present the new, unique primetime special Homefest: James Corden's Late Late Show Special, hosted by James Corden. In the spirit of bringing people together to keep people apart, the special will be broadcast Monday, March 30 from 10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. The show will feature James Corden from his garage, chatting with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, and will include musical performances by BTS in South Korea, Andrea Bocelli in Italy, Dua Lipa in London and Billie Eilish with FINNEAS and John Legend in Los Angeles - from the safety of their homes. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 25

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/antenna-tv-schedule-change-on-march-30.html

Antenna TV is doubling up all of its comedies throughout the day beginning next Monday (March 30). The new primetime lineup from 7-10pm features Archie Bunker's Place, Alice and Three's Company leading into Johnny Carson, now back at 10pm. Late Fringe from 11pm-3am gets a makeover, too, with double runs of Coach, NewsRadio, Becker and Designing Women. Relegated to the overnight is Murphy Brown and It's a Living from 3-5am. Other schedule changes include Mork & Mindy now for a full hour from 5-6am, The Partridge Family also gets a full hour from 6-7am, Gimme a Break! expands to 5-6pm and Barney Miller goes a full hour from 6-7pm. This means with all the doubling up, Sabrina, Welcome Back Kotter, 227 and Benson are off the line-up, as is former prime shows Family Ties and Growing Pains. Leaving the schedule also from late night/overnight are Dear John, Wings, Head of the Class, Hogan Family and Silver Spoons. Some of these shows can still be seen in binge form on weekends, which starts this weekend, as we mentioned

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 24

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/abc-giving-modern-farewell-to-series.html

In anticipation of the Modern Family series finale, ABC is giving viewers a heartfelt look back at one of television's most culturally defining series. The one-hour documentary will explore the 11-year run of this iconic series, from the writing and casting of the pilot, all the way up to the final table read. Through exclusive interviews and reflections with the cast and crew, this documentary will examine the show's origin story and unprecedented success, and revisit many of the hilarious, warm and sometimes twisted moments of this modern family on A Modern Farewell, airing Wednesday, APRIL 8 from 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC. The special can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Special appearances by Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, Jeremy Maguire, Reid Ewing and Benjamin Bratt. 

Monday, March 23, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 23

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/bounce-sitcom-returns-april-1-no-foolin.html

Bounce, the first and only multi-platform entertainment network for African Americans, announced the upcoming return of its original comedy series In The Cut. The new season of the long-running hit will roll-out over thirteen Wednesday nights throughout the spring, starting on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Following their weekly premiere on Bounce, the new episodes will also be available on the popular subscription streaming service Brown Sugar on Thursday mornings. Complete seasons one through five are available on Brown Sugar anytime. 

Sunday, March 22, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 22

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/sitcom-stars-on-talk-shows-this-week-in_22.html

It's Sunday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!

Saturday, March 21, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 21

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/sitcomsonline-digest-netflix-and-hulu.html

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's another weird week of news (and it'll probably not be normal around here for a while), but we've got some news for you, including a preview of a new Netflix series, news of a streaming deal for Community, and more. Let's get going!

Friday, March 20, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 20

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/fri-yay-best-sitcom-episodes-for.html

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay! 

Thursday, March 19, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 19

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/conan-returns-march-30-via-iphone-video.html

The Coronavirus continues to alter television. Beginning on Monday, March 30, Conan will begin airing new episodes on TBS that will have been shot remotely on an iPhone, without an audience and with guest interviews being filmed via video chat. O'Brien's production staff will remain working from home. Conan has been on a pre scheduled hiatus since March 16 but due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, O'Brien has been filming short videos all throughout this week aiming to bring laughter to people in self isolation. He's also recorded a special "Quarantine Edition" of his popular podcast Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend that was released on March 13. Conan airs Monday-Thursday at 11 p.m. (ET/PT) on TBS. The show is produced by Conaco LLC, with Jeff Ross serving as Executive Producer. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 18

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/billboard-music-awards-postponed-on-nbc.html

dick clark productions and NBC announced that the 2020 Billboard Music Awards - scheduled to air live on NBC from Las Vegas on Wednesday, April 29th - is postponed and will be rescheduled to air on NBC at a later date. In a statement the two companies said, "In accordance with the current guidelines set forth by national and local health officials and in order to ensure the health and safety of our artists, fans, guests and staff - we are postponing the Billboard Music Awards. For more than two decades, the Billboard Music Awards has honored the best in music based on the Billboard charts, and we look forward to celebrating the incredible artists who topped those charts over the last year. dcp and NBC will announce a new date and venue for the show in the near future." 

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 17

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/network-upfronts-canceled-but-will-go.html

ViacomCBS announced the company's plan for the 2020 Advertising Upfront season in light of continuing concerns about COVID-19 and guidelines from public health officials. CBS Television Network will forego its live presentation to the advertising community at Carnegie Hall. Instead, network executives and CBS talent will unveil the new 2020-2021 primetime lineup and unique content from CBS Entertainment, CBS News, CBS Sports and CBS All Access in a video Upfront special to be posted to digital platforms on Wednesday, May 13. Additional details regarding the Upfront special will be announced at a future date. 

Monday, March 16, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 16

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/hallmark-slots-more-golden-girls.html

The Hallmark Channel will make some late fringe schedule changes effective immediately. First up, on Sundays as of yesterday (Sunday, March 15), The Golden Girls will replace Sunday 10pm-12am movie. The Golden Girls will air from 10pm–1am and Frasier will air from 1am–5am . Beginning tonight (Monday, March 16) on weeknights, The Golden Girls will air Monday – Friday from 10pm – 1am and Frasier will air weekdays from 1am – 5am, as both series get expanded. I Love Lucy will continue to air mornings from 5am-7am and more The Golden Girls in the mornings from 7-10am, to round out up the sitcom line-up. 

Sunday, March 15, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 15

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/sitcom-stars-on-talk-shows-this-week-in_15.html

It's Sunday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!

Saturday, March 14, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 14

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/sitcomsonline-digest-shout-factory.html

Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! A week ago today, we would have never guessed that everything would be shut down for coronavirus, but we're still here with a light news week (mostly since nobody is doing anything right now). Let's get going!

Friday, March 13, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 13

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/fri-yay-one-day-at-time-moves-to-pop-tv.html

It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay! 

Thursday, March 12, 2020

TV NEWS MARCH 12

https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2020/03/quibi-announces-fire-island-sitcom-abc.html

Quibi has given the greenlight to Fire Island comedy series Trip. Created by Joel Kim Booster and set on the iconic Fire Island, Trip is an unapologetic, modern day rom-com inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The story centers around two best friends who set out to have a legendary week-long summer vacation with the help of cheap rosé and a cadre of eclectic friends. Trip is written by Joel Kim Booster and produced by JAX Media. Joel Kim Booster is a Los Angeles-based stand-up and writer who stars in the Hulu sitcom Sunnyside. Other screen credits include Shrill (Hulu), BoJack Horseman, and Big Mouth (Netflix). He's written for Billy on the Street (truTV), Big Mouth (Netflix), and The Other Two (Comedy Central), and has appeared on Conan, Late Night with Seth Meyers & The Late Late Show with James Corden